Mushroom Chowder: Should You Add Mushrooms To Your Soup?

Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including chowder. Mushroom chowder is a hearty and creamy dish that can be made with different types of mushrooms, such as oyster, maitake, and king trumpet. It is often paired with other ingredients like potatoes, thyme, and bacon, and can be made vegan or vegetarian. Some recipes even substitute mushrooms for clams in a New England clam chowder, creating a unique twist on a classic dish. With its satisfying texture and earthy flavors, mushroom chowder is a comforting meal perfect for chilly days.

Oyster mushrooms can add a seafood flavour to chowder

Oyster mushrooms are a variety of fungi with a unique characteristic: they have a slight seafood flavour. This makes them an excellent choice for chowders, especially for vegan adaptations of traditional seafood chowders.

In a vegan clam chowder, oyster mushrooms can be used as a substitute for clams, providing a similar texture and a hint of seafood taste. This combination of mushrooms and seaweed can enhance the oceanic flavour profile, making it even more reminiscent of a traditional seafood chowder.

Oyster mushrooms are not the only variety used in chowders. Wild mushrooms, such as bear's tooth and chicken of the woods, are also popular choices for mushroom-based chowders. These wild mushrooms offer a distinct earthy flavour that complements the other ingredients in the dish, such as leeks, celery, and bacon.

When preparing a mushroom chowder, it is common to use a combination of different mushrooms to enhance the flavour and texture. For instance, oyster mushrooms can be paired with button mushrooms, maitake, king trumpet, or even dried oysters. This variety adds depth and complexity to the dish.

To prepare the mushrooms for a chowder, they are typically sautéed or cooked in butter until softened and browned. They are then added to a soup pot or Dutch oven, along with other ingredients such as onions, celery, potatoes, and bacon. The addition of milk, cream, or plant-based milk alternatives can make the chowder richer and creamier.

Mushrooms can be used as a substitute for clams

If you are unable to find oyster mushrooms, other types of mushrooms such as shiitake, king oyster (trumpet), or cremini mushrooms can be used instead. These mushrooms can be cooked in a mixture of butter, miso paste, and tamari to enhance their flavour and create a meaty texture. White button mushrooms are also an option, as they are typically more readily available and affordable.

When substituting mushrooms for clams in a chowder recipe, it is important to consider the cooking time and techniques used. Mushrooms should be sautéed until they are tender and lightly browned, which typically takes around 5-8 minutes. They can then be set aside while the other ingredients, such as onions, celery, and potatoes, are cooked. The mushrooms are then added back into the chowder towards the end of the cooking process, along with milk or cream, and heated through.

Using mushrooms as a substitute for clams in chowder allows for a vegan-friendly dish that still captures the essence of traditional New England Clam Chowder. It is a creative way to adapt a classic recipe to make it more accessible to a wider range of dietary preferences and ingredient availability.

How to make a vegan chowder

First, prepare the ingredients. You can use a variety of mushrooms such as oyster, shiitake, maitake, king trumpet, or grey mushrooms. For the base of the chowder, you will need butter or vegan butter, onions, celery, and flour. To add creaminess, you can use a nut/milk mixture (soak nuts and blend with milk), coconut milk, or dairy products like butter, crème fraîche, or sour cream. Potatoes, yuba (tofu skin), and vegetable broth are essential ingredients. For seasoning, you can use Old Bay seasoning, miso paste, dulse flakes, celery salt, paprika, thyme, garlic, and white wine.

Now, let's begin cooking. Start by sautéing the onions, celery, and any other aromatics you wish to include. If using butter, add it to the pan and cook until the vegetables are golden. Next, sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to create a roux. This will thicken your chowder. Add the vegetable broth gradually, stirring and heating until the broth thickens.

Cook the potatoes separately until they are tender and can be pierced with a fork. You can also add other vegetables like corn, broccoli, or asparagus. If using mushrooms, sauté them separately until softened and browned. If you want to include yuba, cut it into small squares and simmer it in the chowder.

Once your vegetables are cooked, it's time to assemble the chowder. Combine the vegetables, potatoes, and broth, adding the nut/milk mixture or coconut milk for creaminess. Blend the soup to your desired consistency, from creamy to fully blended. Season with salt and pepper, and add any garnishes like oyster crackers, fresh parsley, or tempeh bacon.

Your vegan chowder is now ready to serve! This recipe is a delicious, satisfying, and creamy vegan take on traditional chowders, perfect for a chilly day. Enjoy your homemade vegan chowder!

Using potatoes to thicken the chowder

While mushrooms are a popular ingredient in chowder, potatoes are also a key component of this hearty dish. In addition to their delicious flavour, potatoes are an excellent way to thicken chowder.

Potatoes are a starchy vegetable, and this starch is released when they are cooked in liquid, thickening the soup. For a chunkier texture, the potatoes can be cut into larger pieces. Alternatively, for a smoother soup, the potatoes can be blended or mashed. In a recipe for curried potato corn chowder, the potatoes are cooked until tender, then blended with an immersion blender to create a creamy consistency.

Another method to thicken chowder is to use a roux. This is a mixture of flour and fat, typically butter, cooked together to form a paste. The roux is then added to the chowder, thickening the dish. This technique can be used in conjunction with potatoes for a richer, thicker chowder.

For a potato chowder, the potatoes should be cooked until tender, then other ingredients such as cream cheese, bacon, and chives can be added. This creates a rich, savoury dish.

Potato chowder can be made in a slow cooker, allowing the flavours to develop over several hours. This method ensures a hearty, satisfying meal with minimal effort.

Overall, potatoes are an essential ingredient in chowder, providing flavour, texture, and thickness to this comforting dish.

What types of mushrooms to use

Oyster mushrooms are a popular choice for chowder due to their slight seafood flavour, which makes them a good substitute for clams. They can be used dried or fresh. Pink oyster mushrooms are recommended if you can find them, as they have a more enhanced seafood flavour. Grey oyster mushrooms are more widely available in US grocery stores.

Other mushrooms that can be used in chowder include maitake, king trumpet, bear's tooth, and chicken of the woods. You can also use a combination of different mushrooms. Dried mushrooms can be substituted for fresh mushrooms, or you can use a mix of both.

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